Washer



Oct. 27, 1942. M. J. LANDGRAF 2,300,231

I WASHER v I Filed may 31, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR v flmv/zefywmf V/KW #WM ATTORNEYS 1942- M. J. LANDGRAF' 00,231

WASHER Filed ua sl, 1940 Y 2 Sh eetS-Sheefo 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFlCE WASHER Myron J. Landgraf, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Henry J. Goldblatt, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 31, 1940, Serial No. 337,959

11 Claims.

My invention relates to washing machines, particularly portable and semi-portable clothes washing machines for use in homes and apartments.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved washing machine of the character identified.

A further object is to employ a construction which provides the maximum flexibility in the design of modified shapes, styles and sizes, which may be adapted to various uses in the home, and which is relatively inexpensively produced,

A further object is the provision of separate improved base and tub assemblies so constructed and arranged that various other appliances, such as a wringer or the like, may be easily and conveniently used.

A still further object is the provision of an improved washer and wringer assembly.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a washer, including the tub and base constructed in accordance with my invention, wherein some of the parts are shown in elevation in front of the section line in order better to show the relationship of the parts;

Fig, 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken onthe line 22 of Fig, 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing the combination of the washer with a wringer and illustrating the manner in which the wringer is supported;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, looking along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing some of the details of construction of the base portion; and

Fig. 6 is a slightly enlarged cross section taken through one of the wringer supporting members, the section being on the line 6-45 of Fig. 3.

In carrying out my invention, I produce separate and separable base and tub portions, the former housing all of the power and motion translating mechanism, and the latter having an agitator shaft and agitator, the parts being so constructed and arranged that the tub is readily centered and resiliently supported on the base, and the connection is made between the drive mechanism and agitator shaft when the tube is CTl structed as a separate piece of equipment which may be handled and operated independently of the tub, and preferably employs the features of the drive mechanism described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 212,485, filed June 8, 1938. The drive provided on the base portion utilizes a centrally projecting socket which comprises a female clutch member, so that when the tub is placed in position, a suitably formed male clutch member comprising a continuation of the agitator shaft engages in the socket to complete the drive connection to the agitator shaft and agitator.

The tub has its bottom dished in such a way that it may be set on any fiat surface and will be supported on the tub proper, the driving connection which comprises an extension of the agitator shaft being in the recess formed by the dished bottom portion of the tub. This permits the tub to be removed from the base, placed on a gas flame or other source of heat, and the clothes boiled. This is a great advantage over structures where the entire drive mechanism must be moved about. It also permits the base to be operated while a tub is being used, for example, for boiling clothes, such as when two tubs might be employed with a single base.

I mount th'e wringer in such a mannerthat the tub may readily be removed without affecting the position of the wringer in any way. While the wringer is carried by the base by means of a constructionwhich permits a firm and rigid support, the wringer at the top is releasably supported by the edge of the tub. I may, of course, employ the washer without a wringer, as shown in Fig. 1, or with a wringer, as shown in Fig, 3.

Referring now first to Figs. 1 and 2, I show a base assembly generally indicated by the reference character l0, and a tub assembly generally '10Iindicated by the reference character H.

The base assembly comprises a, dish shaped housing member l2, which may be formed, for example, by a suitable drawing operation from sheet steel or the like, and a cover and drive mechanism mounting plate l3. At a plurality of positions, three being suitable, I weld to the inside of the housing member I2 specially formed supporting strips l4. Each of these strips, as shown particularly at the left of Fig. 1, is oifset at the bottom to provide a foot member l6 which'extends through a slit formed in the bottom of the housing l2, on which foot portion a supporting memberll is secured. The members H are suitably formed of partially vulcanized rubber, soft placed in posi i n- The base portion is conenough to provide a suitable base but rigid enough to carry any load which they may be called upon to bear without suifering appreciable deformation. The upper part of each strip I4 is formed over to produce a horizontal portion I8, and the combination cover and drive mechanism mounting plate (which, for convenience, I shall refer to hereinafter as the drive mechanism mounting plate) is secured to the plurality of horizontal portions H! as formed by means of screws 19. It will be noted that the drive mechanism mounting plate is slightly recessed at the center, thus forming an annular portion 2! which is the portion which engages the horizontal portion I8 of the strip I4. This annular portion 2| terminates somewhat short of the side walls of the housing [2 looking in a radial direction and terminates in an upturned flange 22. An annular resilient supporting and centering member 23 is formed to receive the upturned flange 22, to lie across the top of the annular horizontal portion 2|, and to extend downwardly to engage against the top edge of the housing [2. It will be noted that the outside edge of the centering and supporting member 23 forms substantially a continuation of the outside side surface of the housing and that this member also extends partly under the annular horizontal portion 2| so that, after being placed in position, it will not be displaced but will continue to be held in position notwithstanding the fact that no direct firm attachment to the housing or drive mechanism mounting plate is provided. This permits the centering supporting member 23 which is preferably formed of semi-soft'rubber to maintain its flexibility and life at least during the expected life of the equipment of which it forms a part.

As previously described, the drive mechanism is preferably that shown in my copending application. It comprises a single piece frame member 24 having a gear case housing 26 and motor mounting bracket to which a motor 21 is mounted. A motor shaft 28 drives a shaft 29 through a flexible connection 3|. Speed reducing gears are provided in the gear case 26,

and a series of links 32 is driven to reciprocate a shaft 33 journaled in a bearing 34 which is integral with the single piece frame member and, therefore, forms a part of it. Also integral with the frame 24 are legs 36 of a spider which provide the means for attachment by screws 31 to v the drive mechanism mounting plate l3. Louvers 38 are provided at opposite sides of the housing substantially in line with the shafts 28 and 29, and a propeller 39 mounted on an extension of the motor shafts 28 draws air through.

the louvers at one side, drives the air across the drive mechanism including the gear case 26 and discharges it at the louvers on the opposite side. A shield 48 surrounding the propeller serves to direct the air in a stream across the motor. It will be noted that the section line on which Fig. 1 is taken is not directly in line with the motor shaft 28 so that only the louvers on one side are shown. As will be clear, however, from a consideration of Figs. 3 and 5, these louvers are placed opposite to each other in order to secure the result described.

The shaft 33 terminates in a socket 4!, this socket projecting through an aperture in the mounting plate l3, the aperture being framed with an annular upturned flange 42 suitably formed by a drawing operation from the material of the plate. A hub 43, forming a part of the tub assembly as' will be described later, is adapted to set within the socket 4| when the tub is placed in position on the base. I utilize a construction at the co-acting driving faces of these two members which together form a clutch, so that ready engagement will occur independently of the position at which the tub is centered on the supporting and centering strip 23. It will be noted that the member 23 is curved at the surface which the tub engages so that, if the tub is not in exact center, it will have a. tendency to slide to the center in order to rest firmly upon the member 23. Once it is centered, however, the clutch members comprising the socket 4i and hub 43 preferably engage without having to rotate the tub to find the position of engagement. A suitable arrangement is to utilize a hexagonally shaped hub 43, as shown in Fig. 2. and shape the inside surfaces of the socket 4| so as, in effect, to form two hexagonal recesses spaced from each other a distance equal to onetwelfth of the circumference. This gives twelve positions in which the hub can engage, and I have found that, when the bottom of the hub 43 is slightly rounded, as shown clearly in Fig. 1, one or the other parts will rotate slightly, if necessary, in order to permit engagement.

Normally, there is no reason why water should be spilled nor in any way deposited on the top of the drive mechanism mounting plate I3, since a complete seal is provided where the agitator shaft extends through the bottom of the tub. There is, however, the possibility that water may find its way on this plate. To take care of this situation, I provide a number of holes 44 in the plate l3 and a number of drain holes 46 inthe bottom of the housing l2. The drain holes 46 may be placed in any suitable position. The holes 44, however, are placed in positions so that drainage, should it occur, will not result in discharging water onto the motor or onto any of the moving parts which may throw the water onto the motor. In this connection, it will be noted that the flange 42 around the socket M. will prevent ingress of water at this point. The gear case is entirely enclosed, and water may drop onto the gear case or onto the parts of the frame 24 without causing any difficulties. In this connection, I might add that the motor is preferably formed in such a way that its coils and other electrical parts are not afiected'by moisture. I have found, however, that continued exposure of electrical parts to water will sooner or later cause at least an impairment in operating efficiency if not actual stoppages. My design is such, therefore, that drainage is provided for and the electrical parts forming a part of the drive are kept dry. Should any small amount of water tend to settle on any of the electrical parts, for example, through condensation or the like, the movement of air is such that it will quickly cause this moisture to evaporate.

The tub assembly comprises a tub having sides 5| and a dished bottom portion 52 preferably formed in one piece by a suitable drawing operation, A central portion 53 of the bottom is horizontal and is apertured to pass a threaded shank forming a part of an agitator shaft housing member 54. This housing member has a base 56 which engages against the top surface of the horizontal portion 53 of the bottom. A special form of nut 5'! is threaded on the downwardly extending shank of the member 54, and, suitable gaskets being provided above and below the horizontal portion 53, a tight, non-leaking connection is formed where the connection is made through the bottom of the tub. l a

An agitator shaft 58 is journaled'in' a'bottom bearing 59 and top bearing 6| carried by the agitator shaft housing 54, and such agitator shaft projecting below the bearing 59 carries the hub 43 previously referred to. Thus, the'agitator shaft, being entirely within its housing 54, extends through the bottom in such-a way as to prevent leakage. The agitator. shaft extends above its housing 54, and an agitator mounting member 62, shaped as a sleeve but having the general cross section of a truncated cone, is secured in position by a set screw 63. An agitator 64, having a plurality of downwardly projecting blades 56, preferably three in number, has its hub shaped to engage over the mount ing member 62 so as to form a tight connection. The engaging surfaces being non-circular, the

agitator is constrained to move with the agitator shaft. To complete the assembly, a nut 61 in the form of a cap engages a threaded extension 68 of the agitator shaft. It will 'be noted that the bearin BI is formed in such a way as to extend over the top edge of the agitator housing 54 to form a seal at this point, and that the agitator mounting member 62 engages above this bearing so as also to form a seal at this position. A seal, of course, is provided along the surface between the mounting member 62 and a flat portion on which a cover I2 is mounted.

The cover is preferably provided with a' resilient noise-deadening edge strip I3 and has a knob I4 as a handle secured in a center recessed portion. As previously stated, clothes may be boiled in the tub and it will be noted that the strip 13 has a tendency to act as a seal' and prevent loss of steam, with the result that the contents of the tub may be kept at a boiling temperature with only a small flame and there will be only a small amount of steam escaping into the atmosphere. The knob I4 is formed of material having low thermal conductivity so that even though the cover may get quite hot during a boiling operation, the cover may be removed without burning the hands.

Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, show the manner of mounting the wringer in position. The wringer, indicated generally by the reference character 76, is carried on a pair of uprights 11, These uprights are secured at their lowerends by means f of screws I8 and studs I9 to the base portion l0 of the washer. To provide a firm attachment, a relatively thick mounting strip 8| extends In the event water should around a portion of the inside surface of the k housing I2 and has its ends terminating at two of the strips I4 to which such ends may be secured. The mounting strip 8| or a conventionally equivalent member may, of course, be

mounted in position in various ways. The studs I9 are carried by the uprights I! so that, to seare then tightened into threaded holes provided 75 for the purpose. T Thus, withonly two screws, the

twouprights II are mounted firmly in position to the base l0. Near their tops, theiuprights have supporting tabs 82 struck from their cenrights so that the wringer may be operated when the tub is in position and it will beheld firmly,

but the tub is readily removed from the base and from attachment to the wringer at any time.

The'wringer has its frame portion terminating in attaching lugs 83 which,as shown clearly in Fig. 6, are channeled so as snugly to receive the upper ends of the uprights TI. The single screw 84 at the top of each upright serves to hold the wringer in position. It will be noted by looking at Fig. 4 that a portion of the lugs 83 rests solidly on the top of the uprights I! so that the weight of the wringer is not carried on the screws 84.

In producing the device o'f-the present invention, the tub 5|, coverI2, housing I2 and drive mechanism mounting plate I3 may all Joe-formed of metal to give adequate strength, and with the in order to facilitate keeping all of the parts clean and enhance the appearance. The units separately are relatively light and may be moved readily from place toplace by even a child. The construction employed permits ready interchangeability of various parts. For example, the base member may readily be fitted with legs to produce a Washer which will stand higher if set on the floor, other types of equipment may be operated by means of the base unit, and, by means of a relatively simple modification of the drive, I'am able to operate a centrifugal dryer which may be mounted centrally on the base unit in place of the tub, The device may readily be used with or without a wringer, and, if the wringer is removed, it is readily replaced when needed.

Ingeneral, the features and advantages of the invention are brought out in the preceding description. I wish to point out, however, that, in

addition to the advantages already described in connection with the wringer arrangement, the support employed permits thewringer to be'carr'ied" firmly without a'nypossibility of breaking or cracking the enamel, which is usually provided on washing machines." When wringers are clamped to the upper edge of a tub, even though rubber and similar pads are employed between the'clamps and the tub, there is enough deformation or strain set up along the rim to cause considerable cracking and chipping of the enamel.

- This is impossible with the construction which I employ. Another feature which I wish to point V out is the use of the shield '40 around the fan or propeller '39. This shield is circular, except for a portion which is cut out near thetop, and has the effect of positively directing air entering the louvers 38 through the venturi-like' opening provided by the shield, thereby forcing this air to passacross the motor. Thus thereis no great amount of turbulence within the housing which could cause particles of water to be picked up and brought into contact with the motor, the only action, therefore, being a. drying one and concomitantly the motor is cooled by this moving .air. A third feature which may be pointed out is the arrangement of the centering and supporting member 23 formed, as previouslynoted, of

This

semi-soft rubber; As was described, a portion of this memberjcontacts the upper edge of the housing l2. By pinching this portion of the member 23 between thelower surface of the plate l3 and the upper edge of the housing 12, a seal is provided between these members. This is effected by mounting the member 23 onto the edge of the plate [3 before it is assembled, to the housing; then, when the screws -19 are tightened, the pinching ofthe rubber between the plate and housing takes place, thus assisting in holding the memberv 23 in position as well as forming the seal. Anadded feature of the arrangement is that noises are dampened and the entire device operates very quietly as compared to other washers of the relatively small portable type.

While I have described my invention in order that those skilled in the art may understand the same, the invention is, however, limited only by the scope of the appended. claims.

What I claim as newandidesire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

- 1. Ina portable clothes Washer having in combination separable tub and base assemblies, a tub assembly comprising a tub having an agitator, an agitator shaft extending through the tub,

and a clutch member on an extending end of said agitator shaft, and a base assembly 'comprising a'housing, a motor in the housing, an agitator drive shaft extending from the housing carrying a clutch member adapted to be brought into cooperative drive relation with the agitator shaft clutch member when. the tub is placed on the base assembly, and mechanism between the said motor and agitator drive shaft for imparting rotary reciprocatory motionto said shaft, said shafts being centrally positioned, and said base assembly having a resilient annular centering and supporting member on which the tub rests when the clutch members are engaged.

2. In a portable clothes washer having in combination separable tub and base assemblies, a tub assembly comprising a tub havingan agitator, an agitator shaft extending through the tub, and a clutch member on an extending end of said agitator shaft, and abase assembly comprising a houisng, a motor in the housing, an agitator drive shaft extending from the housing carrying a clutch member adaptedto be brought into cooperative drive relation with the agitator shaft clutch member when the tub is placed on the base assembly, and mechanism between the saidmotor and agitator drive shaft for imparting rotary reciprocatory motion to said shaft, said shafts being centrally positioned and said base assembly having a resilient annular centering and supportingmember on which the tub rests when the clutch members are engaged, said :clutch members being so constructed and arranged as to engage in any position as an incident to placing the tub onsaid centering and supporting :member.

3. In a portable clothes washer having in combination separable base and tub assemblies, a base assembly having an agitator drive shaft and means for driving said shaft, a tub assembly having an agitator and agitator shaft, clutch means interconnecting said shafts when the tub is placed upon the base, a wringer carired by the base assembly, and separable means for engaging the tub and wringer so constructed and arranged that when the tub is placed in position on the base, thesaid tub helps to support the wringer, but when the tub is lifted from the base and it is automatically released fromsaid engaging means.

4. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said wringer is provided with a plurality of uprights as supports, said uprights secured to said base, and having projections engaging under and behind arim on the tub, whereby when the tub is in position, said uprights are supported thereby, and whereby the tub may be separated from the uprights by; merely lifting it: from the base.

- 5. Ina portable washer having in combination separable tub and base assemblies, a tub assembly including a tub with a bottom and side wall, an agitator shaft journalled in the tub bottom' and an agitator carried by said shaft, ajbase assembly comprising a housing having bottom and side walls,'a cover and drive'mechanism mounting plate covering said housing, a resilient tub centering and supporting member disposed annularly about the edge .of said cover and mounting plate with a part-disposed between said plate and housing and a part on which a tub may rest,

a shaftprojected upwardly through said cover provided with a clutch for forming a driving connection to the said agitator shaft, and drive and motion translating mechanism carried by the plate and disposed within the housing.

6. The combinationdefined in claim 5, wherein a plurality of vertically disposed mounting strips are secured to side wallsof said housing within the same, said strips having portions to which said cover and mechanism mounting plate is secured, and a portion extending through the bottom of the housing and comprising feet for sup port of the entire base assembly of the washer.

'7. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein a plurality of vertically disposed mounting strips are secured to side walls of said housing within the same, said strips having portions to which said ,cover and mechanism mounting plate is secured and, a portion extending through the bottom of the housing and comprising feet for sup port of the entire base assembly of the washer, said housing also being provided with a relatively thick horizontal strip extending between two of said mounting strips whereby to facilitate mountinga wringer to the side walls of. the said base housing.

8. Thevcombination defined by claim 5, wherein said housing and cover plate are sealed by said tub supporting and centering member, said plate having an annular bafile where saidshaft projects to prevent passage of water around the shaft, and said plate and bottom of the housing being provided with drain holes whereby water lodging on said plate may be drained into the housing at points Wherethe motor and electrical parts will not become wet, and all water entering the housingwill readily drain therefrom.

9. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said housing and cover plate are sealed by said tub supporting and centering member, saidplate having baffle means where said shaft projects to prevent passage of water around the shaft, and said plate and bottom of the housing being provided with drain holes whereby water lodging on said plate may bedrained into the housing at points where the motor and electrical parts will not become wet, and all water entering the housing Will readily-drain therefrom, said side walls of the housing being provided with louvers on rpposite sides substantially in line withthe mot r shaft, and said motor shaft having a fan blade positioned to draw air in through one set of louvers, across the motor, and through the other set of louvers, whereby any moisture which may collect upon the motor will quickly be evaporated.

10. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said housing and cover plate are sealed by said tub supporting and centering member, said plate having means where said shaft projects to prevent passage of water, and said plate and bottom of the housing being provided with drain holes whereby water lodging on said plate may be drained into the housing at points where the motor and electrical parts will not become wet, and all water entering the housing will readily drain therefrom, said side walls of the housing being provided with louvers on opposite sides substantially in line with the motor shaft, said motor shaft having a fan blade positioned to draw air in through one set of louvers, across the motor, and through the other set of louvers, whereby any moisture which may collect upon the motor will quickly be evaporated, and shield means around the fan blade for positively directing air around the motor, whereby to avoid turbulence which might cause water to be picked up and deposited on the motor.

11. In a portable clothes washer comprising the combination of separable base and tub assemblies, a base assembly having a housing including bottom and side walls and a top plate, a shaft extending through the top plate carrying a clutch member, means within the housing for imparting oscillating motion to said shaft, and said tub assembly having side walls and a dished bottom, an agitator shaft projecting centrally of the bottom, and a clutch member carried by the said agitator shaft for engaging the clutch member on the base assembly, the clutch member on the tub assembly being disposed within the dished portion of said tub bottom whereby the tub may be placed upon a flat surface, as of a stove or the like, without interference from the agitator shaft or the clutch member carried thereby.

MYRON J. LANDGRAF. 

